Already with major triumphs in Paris, London and New York, all that\u2019s missing from his collection is the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup. Should he hoist it, he would become the youngest man in history to complete the Career Grand Slam.<\/p>\n
\u201c[The main] thing for me is Grand Slams, try to win as much Grand Slams as I can. That’s my main goal,\u201d said Alcaraz, who is yet to go beyond the quarterfinals at the Australian Open.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think [the AO is] going to be great. It’s my first goal, to be honest. When I just go to the pre-seasons to what I want to improve, what I want to achieve, Australian Open is there. It’s the first or second tournament of the year, and it is always the main goal for me to complete a career Grand Slam, calendar Grand Slam.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just wanted to complete it. Obviously I’m going to try to do it next year, but if it is not next year, hopefully in two and three and four.\u201d<\/p>\n
Standing in his way could be arch rival Jannik Sinner, whom Alcaraz beat in both the Roland Garros and US Open finals \u2013 extending what has become the most compelling rivalry in the sport\u2019s current era.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The final in Paris proved to be a gruelling battle, a five-set extravaganza lasting five hours and 29 minutes and going down as the longest final \u2013 and one of the greatest \u2013 played at the claycourt major. There, Alcaraz proved his prowess through determination and fighting spirit, recovering from two-sets-to-love down and saving three championship points to win 4-6 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(3) 7-6(2).<\/p>\n
\u201cJust really grateful for that [rivalry] because it gives me the opportunity to give my 100 per cent every practice, every day,\u201d said Alcaraz of Sinner, who will be going for his third consecutive AO title in January.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe level that I have to maintain and I have to raise if I want to beat Jannik is really high.\u201d<\/p>\n